Electromechanical control unit for adjusting devices in motor vehicles

ABSTRACT

An electromechanical control unit for adjustment devices in motor vehicles which can be used with particular advantage in connection with a window lift drive in a vehicle door. The electromechanical drive, the electronics system and the switch of the electromechanical control unit form one pre-testable modular unit. Preferably each switch is in keyed engagement with a cover and is elastically mounted relative to the electronics system, for example through a flexible flat band cable connection.

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to an electromechanical control unit foradjustment devices in motor vehicles and can be used with particularadvantage in conjunction with a window lift drive in a vehicle door.

Published PCT application no. WO 91/01060 discloses a drive unit for anelectromotor-operated window lift which consists of a motor with gearingas well as a control and regulating electronics system. The gear housingis designed so that the control and regulating electronics system can beinserted therein. The drive unit is connected to a separately fittedswitch by a plug attached to the electronics system for producingcontrol signals and supplying a voltage source.

The drive unit described provides a relatively compact structuralassembly, but the electronically conductive connection between this unitand the switch block can only be produced in the course of completingthe vehicle door. This causes increased assembly costs compared to aseparately designed modular structure. A joint pre-testing of the driveunit, including the switch, is not possible.

German Patent No. 36 09 609 C2 describes an assembly unit, consisting ofan electronics module, plug elements, and operating switches, which isto be installed in a vehicle door and is connected through a cable trainto the functioning elements, such as the mirror adjustment, centrallocking and/or window drive. The housing of this assembly unit ismounted either in a part of the inner cladding of the door (e.g., thearm rests) or on the inside panel of the door.

Even here there is the drawback that the electronics switch module mustsubsequently be connected by cable to the electrical functioning unit.Testing all the electrical and electronic parts operating together canonly be carried out after completion of the vehicle door.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the invention, an electromechanicalcontrol unit for adjustment devices in motor vehicles, more particularlyfor a window lift, is provided. The control unit includes anelectromechanical drive with an electromotor with gearing, anelectronics system having a housing and in active connection with theelectromotor, at least one switch in active connection with theelectronics system for issuing control commands to at least onefunctional unit, and at least one further switch for controlling atleast one further functional element, for example an electrical seat ormirror adjustment. The switches are mechanically fixable andelectronically connectable to the electromechanical drive and thehousing enclosing the electronics system to form a modular unit whichmay be built into a larger functional system, such as a vehicle doormodule. The switch for controlling the at least one further functionalelement is connected to the electronics system through an electricalplug contact and has a common serial interface with the electrical plugcontact.

With an embodiment of the invention, it is possible to increase thedegree of integration of the electrical and electronic components foradjustment devices and other functional groups in motor vehicles and toreduce the manufacturing and testing costs.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an electromechanicaldrive, electronics system and at least one switch form a pre-testablemodular unit. For a practical embodiment of this unit, it is necessaryto match the spatial requirements of the adjustment device connected tothe drive on one side and the position of the switches required togenerate control signals on the other side with each other in view ofthe available space in the vehicle door. It should be ensured that no,or only insignificantly slight movements are transferred to the switchesthrough the forces arising from the electromechanical drive and thusminimizing elastic deformations of the supporting parts connectedtherewith. This can be achieved according to one embodiment whichprovides an elastic floating connection between the switch and theelectronics system. The switch should thereby be in positive engagementwith a cover, for example the inner cladding of the door. In analternate embodiment, the switch is connected to the electronics systemby a flexible electrical lead wherein the switch is also supported by acover or the like.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the modular unitsupports at least one further switch which is connected to a furtherelectrical functioning element. This can be, for example, an electricalseat adjustor, mirror adjustor or heater. This saves the expense ofmounting the second switch separately. The power supply to the modularunit and the electrical connection between the additional switch andfurther electrical functioning element can be produced through a commonserial interface. To expand the modular unit with an additional switch,an electrical plug connection is provided between the switch and theelectronics system and is made at the same time as the mechanicalconnection between the two parts.

A further embodiment of the invention provides for mounting a switch forcontrolling at least a further electrical functioning element in aseparate housing and equipping it with its own electrical output. Thusthe connection of the switch with the modular unit is still mechanical.Insofar as the additional electrical functioning element, for example anelectrical seat adjustor, is to have a separate electronics controlsystem, this can either be mounted in the housing of the associatedswitch or in the vicinity of the functioning unit of the seat adjustmentsystem. Alternatively, in the case where both electrical functioningelements, for example, the window lift and seat adjustor, are to befitted with one electronic control unit, not only would the spatialarrangement of the electronics system in a common housing beadvantageous, but also their functional connection. Any relays which maybe necessary to switch power supplies can be fitted at a place remotefrom the modular unit.

When using the modular unit according to the invention in conjunctionwith an electric window lift, the window lift is preferably prefitted ona relatively stable support plate on the dry chamber side of the door.It is thereby possible to dispense with the cost-intensive measuresneeded to protect the sensitive electrical components from moisture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained in further detail with reference tothe embodiments shown in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows various views of an electromechanical control unit providedfor a window lift wherein

FIG. 1a is a side view,

FIG. 1b is a plan view on the plug side,

FIG. 1c is a plan view on the switch side;

FIG. 2 shows the modular unit according to FIGS. 1a to 1c in variousviews but expanded through a switch for in electrically operated seatadjustment wherein

FIG. 2a is a side view,

FIG. 2b is a plan view on the plug side,

FIG. 2c is a plan view on the switch side;

FIG. 3 shows the modular unit according to FIGS. 1a to 1c in variousviews but expanded by a switch with separate electrical input for anelectrically operated seat adjustment wherein

FIG. 3a is a side view,

FIG. 3b is a plan view on the plug side,

FIG. 3c is a plan view on the switch side;

FIG. 4 including FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, form a diagrammatic illustrationof an electromechanical control unit for an electrically operated windowlift according to one embodiment and additional switch blocks for anelectronic seat memory as well as an electrical mirror adjustment;

FIG. 5a shows an electromechanical control unit with flat band cableconnection between the electronics system and switch block in thetransport position;

FIG. 5b is a sectional view through the electromechanical control unitof FIG. 5a in the installed position in a motor vehicle door;

FIG. 5c is a side view of the electromechanical control unit of FIG. 5ain the installed position; and

FIG. 5d is a plan view of the switch area of a motor vehicle doorincluding the electromechanical control unit of FIG. 5a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The views shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c illustrate a minimal structure of anelectromechanical control unit 100 for an electrically driven windowlift according to one embodiment of the invention. The electromechanicalcontrol unit only comprises one electronics system 3 with only oneswitch block 4 for an electromechanical drive including a motor 1 andgearing 2. The switch block 4 mounted on a side of the control unit 100thereby forms one unit with the housing of the electronics system 3. Theindividual button switches 41,42,43,44 for operating the four sidewindow panes of a vehicle are part of a drive and control unit on thedriver's side. More advantageous however is the production of themodular unit according to the invention using a separate switch block 4which is connectable with the electronics system 3. Thus it is easilypossible to generate a new variation solely by replacing the illustratedswitch block for the driver's seat 4 by a switch block intended for avehicle seat in the rear compartment. The electronics system 3 and themotor 1 are supplied with electrical energy through a plug connection30. Signals such as the switching states of the ignition lock or thelocking state of the door can be transferred through this plugconnection 30.

The embodiment of the invention according to FIGS. 2a to 2c hasadditionally a switch block 5 for an electrical seat adjustment, butotherwise corresponds to the above-described unit of FIG. 1. In the sidewall of the electronics system 3 underneath the switch block 4 for thewindow lift is a plug connection 31 (shown in shadow in FIG. 2a) throughwhich the switch block 5 for the seat adjustment can be connected to theelectronics system 3. In the present case this is a switch 5 for a seatadjustment with a memory function whereby the relevant programmed seatpositions can be retrieved from memory and re-established by operatingthe buttons 51, 52. A button combination 53,54,55 symbolically imitatingthe seat is available for the deliberate accurate adjustment of the seatcushion, backrest and head rest.

The two switch blocks 4,5 have a common serial interface in the plugconnection 30. Two different embodiments of this variation of theinvention are therefore available. The electronics system 3 canundertake control of both the window lift and the seat adjustmentmechanisms or alternatively, the switch block contains a separateelectronics system for seat adjustment which is connected with theserial interface 30 through the plug connection 31. Thus, depending onwhich of these alternate embodiments is utilized, the plug connection 31is optionally covered by the trim of the vehicle.

A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3a to 3c. Here the modularelectromechanical control unit is completed with a switch block 5" whichis associated with a seat adjustment without memory electronics.Furthermore the switch block 5", through which the power supply isconnected, has a separate plug connection 50 to which is attached thecable (not shown) for the seat adjustment. With this embodiment, theoptional plug connection 31 may be used for forwarding signals (forexample ignition lock) which are supplied to the window lift electronicssystem 3 through the plug connection 30.

The modular unit shown in FIG. 4 has a particularly high degree ofintegration. It has a plug block 4',5',6' for each of the window liftdrive 4', seat adjustment 5' and mirror adjustment 6', wherein these arecontacted through plug connections 31',310', 32', 320', 33', 330' withthe common electronics system 3'. All contacts necessary for the powersupply and other signal exchange are realized through the plugconnection 30. With this embodiment, it is possible to produce a largenumber of optional variations at reasonable costs.

At this point it should be pointed out that the elastic connection whichare provided between the electronics systems 3,3' and the switch blocks4,4',5,5',6' can compensate for manufacturing tolerances between thefixing point of the modular unit 100 and the inner cladding 8 of thedoor. Also with the transfer of mechanical drive energy through driveshaft 20 (see FIGS. 1b, 2b and 3b) to the adjustment system of thewindow lift, elastic deformations can occur on the supporting parts ofthe door which make a corresponding movement compensation necessary.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 5a to 5d whichuses a flexible flat band cable 46 between the electronics system 3" andthe switch block 4" and thus offers adequate provisions for compensatingrelative movements. According to this embodiment, the motor 1, gearing 2and electronics system 3" fit rigidly together and are mounted on theinner panel 7 of the door or on a support plate, whereas the switchblock 4" is supported by the inner cladding 8 of the door. A cover plate40 inserted in the inner cladding 8 of the door has a bracket plate 400directed downwards into the interior of the door and which is providedwith recesses into which the projections 47,48 of the switch housing 4"can be clip fitted. This allows a simple fixing of the switch block 4"on the inner cladding 8 of the door (see FIGS. 5b and 5c). Relativemovements between the parts 1,2,3" fixed on the inner panel 7 of thedoor and the switch block 4" are compensated without problem by theflexible flat band cable 46.

FIG. 5a shows the modular unit according to the invention in itstransport position before assembly in the door. The housing of theelectronics system 3" supports a fork-shaped upwardly open transportholder 45b in which a suitably fitting bolt-like transport holder 45a ofthe switch block 4" can engage. The transport position is selected sothat during upward movement of the switch block 4" which takes placeduring fitting directly the transport holder 45a, 45b is released it canbe fixed on the cover plate 40 and thus on the inner cladding 8 of thedoor.

The plan view of the switch area of a vehicle door designed for thedriver is shown in FIG. 5d. Buttons for operating the four window liftsare accessible through the cover plate 4.

We claim:
 1. An electromechanical control unit for a window lift inmotor vehicles, comprising:an electromechanical drive comprising anelectromotor with gearing; an electronics system ,having a housing,coupled with the electromotor; at least one switch coupled with theelectronics system for issuing control commands to at least onefunctional unit; and at least one further switch for controlling atleast one further functional unit, wherein the switches are mechanicallyfixable and electronically connectable to the electromechanical driveand the housing enclosing the electronics system to form a modular unitfor building into a larger functional system, and wherein the at leastone further switch for controlling the at least one further functionalunit is connected to the electronics system through an electrical plugcontact and wherein said at least one further switch has a common serialinterface with the electrical plug contact.
 2. The electromechanicalcontrol unit according to claim 1 further comprising a cover, wherein atleast a portion of each switch engages positively with the covers, andwherein the switch is in elastic floating connection with theelectronics system.
 3. The electromechanical control unit according toclaim 1 further comprising a cover, wherein at least a portion of eachswitch is in positive keyed engagement with the cover, and wherein theswitch is connected to the electronics system through a flexibleelectric lead.
 4. The electromechanical control unit according to claim1 wherein the at least one further switch for controlling the at leastone further electrical functioning unit is mounted in a separate housingfrom the electromechanical drive and electronics system and can becombined selectively with the electromechanical control unit.
 5. Theelectromechanical control unit according to claim 1 wherein the at leastone further switch for controlling an electrical seat adjustment system,and wherein the at least one switch has a separate electrical connectionfor connection to the seat adjustment system.
 6. The electromechanicalcontrol unit according to claim 4 wherein a separate seat electronicssystem is provided which forms one unit with the at least one furtherswitch.
 7. The electromechanical control unit according to claim 1wherein the at least one futher switch controls an electrical seatadjustment, and wherein the electronics system comprises a window liftelectronics system and a seat electronics system forming one unit andthat relays required where necessary for the seat adjustment are mountednear the associated drive.
 8. The electromechanical control unitaccording to claim 1 wherein the at least one further switch comprises aseat adjustment switch, and wherein the electronics housing has in thearea of the electrical plug contact a removable closure part so that aplug connection can be made between the seat adjustment switch and theelectronics system.
 9. The electromechanical control unit according toclaim 8 wherein the closure part corresponds to an area formed by aplurality of ideal break points and can be broken out of the housing.10. A door module for a vehicle comprising an inner cladding and theelectromechanical control unit according to claim 1,wherein the switchfor controlling the window lift is mounted in a surface of the doormodule which is substantially horizontal and the switch for controllinga seat adjustment is mounted in a surface of the inner cladding whichruns vertically facing into passenger interior of such vehicle.
 11. Adoor module for a vehicle comprising the electromechanical control unitaccording to claim 1 prefitted on a support plate on a dry chamber sideof the door module.
 12. The electromechanical control unit of claim 1wherein the at least one further functional unit comprises an electricalseat adjustment.
 13. The electromechanical control unit of claim 1wherein the at least one further functional unit comprises an electricalmirror adjustment.
 14. The electromechanical control unit of claim 1wherein a separate seat electronics system is proved which forms oneunit with the electrical drive.
 15. The electromechanical control unitof claim 1 wherein the electronics system comprises a window liftelectronics system and a seat electronics system forming one unit andrelays for the seat adjustment are mounted in a separate housing.